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Multiple-Meaning Words

A multiple-meaning word is spelled and said the same way but means different things: a bat flies at night, and you hit a ball with a bat. Context is the only clue, which is why these words are such good reading practice.

Here are 124 multiple-meaning words from past ClueBy puzzles, each with a real example sentence for every meaning. Use them as a reference, or make a printable worksheet below.

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Students read each sentence and write the missing word. Every word appears in several sentences, each time with a different meaning.

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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  2. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  3. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  4. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  5. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  6. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  7. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  8. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  9. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  10. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  11. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  12. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  13. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  14. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  15. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  16. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  17. The tickets are free of ________________.
  18. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  19. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  20. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  21. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  22. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  23. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  24. I can't ________________ this cold.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com

Answer key

  1. track — a path
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. safe — a strongbox
  4. board — to get on
  5. charge — electricity
  6. charge — in control
  7. hand — help
  8. pitch — a sports field
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. hand — in cards
  11. lash — to lash out
  12. board — a flat piece
  13. hand — part of the body
  14. lash — a whip stroke
  15. track — a song
  16. stand — on your feet
  17. charge — a price
  18. pitch — a sales talk
  19. track — to keep track
  20. pitch — completely
  21. lash — an eyelash
  22. stand — for spectators
  23. board — a committee
  24. stand — to bear

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

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Frequently asked questions

What are multiple-meaning words?

Words with the same spelling and pronunciation but more than one meaning, like bark (of a dog or of a tree) or bank (for money or of a river). You can only tell which meaning is meant from the rest of the sentence.

Are multiple-meaning words the same as homonyms?

Mostly, yes. Teachers often use "multiple-meaning words" and "homonyms" for the same idea. Homophones are different: they sound alike but are spelled differently, like flour and flower.

Are the worksheets free?

Yes. Make and print as many as you like for home or classroom use. Each sheet has its own link, so you can print the same one again.

Where do the words come from?

From past ClueBy puzzles, a daily game where you sort twelve sentences by their missing word. A new puzzle every day adds four more words to this list.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com